Howard Hughes

American aviator, engineer, industrialist, film producer, director, philanthropist, Hughes (1905-1976) was one of the wealthiest people in the world.

Hughes set multiple world air-speed records, built the Hughes H-1 Racer and H-4 “Hercules” (better known to history as the “Spruce Goose”) aircraft, and acquired and expanded Trans World Airlines which would later on merge with American Airlines.

In 1947, the Spruce Goose, largest airplane in the world at that time, flew for one mile at an 80 foot altitude.